Trump calls Dana White press secretary bid a joke
The president said the proposal to put the UFC chief in charge of White House media was a prank, but White plans a meeting on Monday.
By Alessia Desai ·
Donald Trump stated on Sunday, November 8, that his announcement regarding a job offer for UFC president Dana White was a joke. The proposal, which appeared on social media the previous day, suggested White would take over as White House press secretary. It also listed a roster of active UFC fighters to serve as his assistants.
When reporters asked if the offer was serious, Trump replied, “I will tell you, I was only kidding.” He argued that the selection of fighters should have made the humor obvious. He pointed to their “rough faces” and joked that some came from “parts unknown.”
The group of fighters named in the Saturday Truth Social post included Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, and Amanda Nunes. Trump described White as “a very capable guy” and said he believed the UFC boss liked the suggestion. He noted that some people responded favorably to the idea. Trump added, “You wouldn’t mess around with him so much.”
White is expected to visit Trump on Monday. The president said the meeting was for other reasons and not directly tied to the press secretary proposal. Trump explained that White was already planning to be in Washington and would stop by. White reposted the announcement to his Instagram Story. He shared a photo of himself at the White House podium with the caption, “On to the next chapter.”
The announcement came weeks after Katie Zacharia left the press secretary role. Zacharia had replaced Karoline Leavitt, who departed in August. On October 23, Trump told reporters, “We’re in no rush,” when asked about choosing a successor.
Trump and White have a long history. Fights were held at Trump’s Atlantic City property during the UFC’s early years. White introduced Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention. He also appeared with the president on the White House South Lawn in June for UFC Freedom 250.
White addressed the possibility of joining the administration in a November 2024 interview with Sports Business Journal. He stated he had “no personal political aspirations.”
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